Selected Interim Financial Information (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Total revenue	$ 624,240	$ 629,884	$ 618,221	$ 618,476	$ 613,707	$ 618,803	$ 589,794	$ 574,694	$ 2,490,821	$ 2,396,998	$ 2,135,539
Income before gains on sales of real estate	85,406	123,792	100,739	114,086	85,323	109,038	95,901	67,756	424,023	358,018	703,648
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 137,851	$ 184,082	$ 79,460	$ 171,182	$ 174,510	$ 127,724	$ 76,527	$ 54,034	$ 583,106	$ 443,611	$ 749,811
Net income (in dollars per share / unit) - Basic	$ 0.90	$ 1.20	$ 0.52	$ 1.12	$ 1.14	$ 0.83	$ 0.50	$ 0.35	$ 3.73	$ 2.83	$ 4.87
Net income (in dollars per share / unit) - Diluted	$ 0.90	$ 1.20	$ 0.52	$ 1.11	$ 1.14	$ 0.83	$ 0.50	$ 0.35	$ 3.72	$ 2.83	$ 4.86
Boston Properties Limited Partnership [Member]
Total revenue	$ 624,240	$ 629,884	$ 618,221	$ 618,476	$ 613,707	$ 618,803	$ 589,794	$ 574,694	$ 2,490,821	$ 2,396,998	$ 2,135,539
Income before gains on sales of real estate	87,404	125,790	102,737	116,085	87,753	111,066	97,927	69,781	432,016	366,527	715,601
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 156,901	$ 207,626	$ 90,852	$ 193,369	$ 204,759	$ 144,715	$ 87,436	$ 62,219	$ 659,248	$ 509,629	$ 849,573
Net income (in dollars per share / unit) - Basic	$ 0.92	$ 1.21	$ 0.53	$ 1.13	$ 1.20	$ 0.85	$ 0.51	$ 0.37	$ 3.79	$ 2.93	$ 4.97
Net income (in dollars per share / unit) - Diluted	$ 0.92	$ 1.21	$ 0.53	$ 1.12	$ 1.20	$ 0.85	$ 0.51	$ 0.37	$ 3.78	$ 2.92	$ 4.97